The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-12
Mr.. BOOTH As HAMLET. ="
AN IMMENSE THRONG WITNESS
AND SYAPATHIzE WITH THE
Tria's and Heartaches OF the Prince
OF Denmark-The Absence
OF Music.

Thesecond performance in the briei
engagement OF Edwin Booth occurred
les. night. In Hamlet, the great TRACE
dian Is famed as surpassiDg himself,
and this fact created widespread and
eager anxiety among the people to
witness the play. Tnis feeling was by
no means monopolizsd by those In the
more cultivated ranks OF life. The
rich, moderately we'll to do, and even
the poor, met on a common level, eat
side by side, and shared alike in the
intense appreciation.
The absence OF an orchestra, brought
about through q desire to add in
creased seating capacity, did away
with waits between acts. Under the
extraordinary pressure OF interest ex-
isting among the sps ctators, the wis
dom OF this departure may be ques-
toned. The mind was afforded no
season OF relaxation, but was carried
from one thrilling scene to another
almost without intermission, On the
other hand, it is urged that the g, stem
# continual on adopted afforded a
clearer conception and keeDer relish OF
tho many strong points with which
Hamlet abounds. Both views OF the
quet ton have their sustainiD & grounds
Of reason.
The audience last night showed
marked increase over that of the pre-
ceding one. Ia point OF fashion and
Gu tIvatlon, however, there was little,
il any, distinction, for both would be
difficult to surpsss. 1t required but
glunca at the sea of faces to detect a
ajority OF those who witpesstd Richie.
lieu Gray haired grandfathers aud
grandmotners, middle aged husbands,
fathers and stately matrons, beautiful
maidens snd gallant bsaux; the lead.
ers of society and men who pay little
attention to aught but the demands of
business and home life-all eat alb
sorbed in the scenes artistically I'M
folded from the stage,
A strange feature OF the perform
ante was The consp cuous dearth OF
applause. 1t was on y at the mott
thrilling climsx-s that any manifesto
ton of this kind crept out, and these
oulbursts were short lived. This lie
accounted for on the ground that the
far sex predominsted, and they ara
not much given to demonstration,
especially when moved by approval.
Ia this respect 1t is the same the
world over, and experienced actors
never feel discouraged at q lack Of
enthusiasm when playing to an au-
oiencs Of ladies', Neither can II be
urged as an evidence OF lily developed
powers Of appreciation on the part OF
ladies, that men thus differ In giving
vent 10 enthusiasm.
The forty odd chairs placed within
the railing, usually separating the or
chfs'ra from the audience, were eager
ly taken. Though not the most de-
stable point OF view in the house, the
occupants appeared more than con-
tented. The outside aisle on the
lower floor was thronged, and not a
murmur escaped at the inability to
secure seats. Taken altogether, 1t
was gathering fatteripg TO the star
who c'lled them forth, c'editable to
themselves and the city they repre-
sent aud the peers in refinement and
critical acumen Of aoy ever assembled
in Memphis. The boxes were occu.
pied as follows: t.,.N .,..
Boz Airs L. u, Gilmore, Mrs.
Stephens, Miss E la Blown, Miss Co.
rinne Hend rson, Miss Mamie Bond,
Mr.. M. B Gilmore, a party from Jack
son, Tim.
Boz B-Mr, ]. Walker Hays, Mis-
Mlunie Bolster, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
III. Allen, IT,, Mr.. r. II. Allen, If.
Boz c. q. F. Andrews, j. s. An.
drews, William Horgan, Mrs. Horgan,
Miss Sweeney.
Bon d - l. L. Burns, Miss Sallie
Brown, J &. Dunscomb, Miss b 'anche
Reese, W. N. Brown, jr, Miss Ida
Btuce.